All Reports

As part of our annual audit plan, we audited costs billed to the Tennessee Valley Authority (TVA) by Geosyntec Consultants, Inc. (Geosyntec) to provide coal combustion residual and dam safety engineering services under Contract No. 13125. Our audit objectives were to determine if (1) costs were billed in accordance with the terms of the contract and (2) tasks were issued using the most cost-efficient pricing methodology.

We are pleased to present our report for the period April 1, 2022, to September 30, 2022. The information in this report shows firsthand the dedication and professionalism of the TVA OIG team and our understanding of the importance of providing independent oversight of TVA.

In keeping with its responsibilities under the Inspector General Act of 1978, as amended, the OIG monitored the audit of TVA's fiscal year 2022 financial statements performed by Ernst and Young LLP (EY) to assure their work complied with Government Auditing Standards. Our review of EY's work disclosed no instance in which the firm did not comply in all material respects with Government Auditing Standards.

The Tennessee Valley Authority’s (TVA) Economic Development (ED) organization is primarily responsible for helping to maintain TVA’s industrial and manufacturing base, locate desirable companies to the Valley, and improve the competitiveness of Valley communities. TVA ED offers incentive programs and services to new and existing customers in the valley.

As part of our annual audit plan, we performed an audit of costs billed to the Tennessee Valley Authority (TVA) by Slick Rollers, LLC (Slick Rollers) for coal and limestone handling system support materials and/or services at various TVA fossil plants under Contract No. 14457. Our audit objective was to determine if costs were billed in accordance with the terms and conditions of the contract. Our audit scope included about $10.3 million in costs billed to TVA from August 13, 2019, through December 16, 2021.

The Office of the Inspector General (OIG) performed the procedures, which were requested and agreed to by Tennessee Valley Authority (TVA) management solely to assist management in determining the validity of the Winning Performance/Executive Annual Incentive Plan (WP) Measures for fiscal year (FY) ending September 30, 2022. TVA management is responsible for the WP Measures data provided. In summary, procedures applied by the OIG found: • The FY 2022 WP goals for the Enterprise measures were properly approved.

The Office of the Inspector General conducted a review of the Ackerman Combined Cycle Plant (AKC) to identify factors that could impact AKC’s organizational effectiveness. During our evaluation, plant personnel informed us the culture at the plant was generally positive due to strong engagement between team members and with plant management. However, plant personnel informed us of operational concerns regarding (1) the plants grounding process, (2) work management, and (3) a valve that was not operating properly.

The Tennessee Valley Authority’s (TVA) Enterprise Planning organization engages in long-term generation and capacity planning to support TVA’s mission of providing low-cost, reliable electricity. TVA’s capacity plan is designed to ensure resource adequacy while working to minimize cost to customers and develop a long-term strategy for the TVA power system. Long-term generation planning allows for the optimal use of available resources to meet the future energy needs across TVA’s service area, factoring in operating area and system constraints.

The Office of the Inspector General conducted a review of Kingston Fossil Plant (KIF) organization to identify factors that could impact KIF’s organizational effectiveness. During our evaluation, plant personnel informed us that interactions with management and between coworkers were generally positive, although behavioral concerns regarding one individual were identified. In addition, plant personnel expressed concerns regarding (1) condition of assets, (2) staffing challenges, and (3) communication related to the future of KIF.

Due to risks associated with adopting unproven or immature technologies, the Office of the Inspector General conducted an evaluation to assess the Tennessee Valley Authority’s (TVA) methods for evaluating new technologies. We determined TVA has not established consistent methods for evaluating new technologies. Specifically, we found TVA has not (1) adopted a formal method for evaluating technology readiness or (2) managed technology readiness throughout projects.